Converge

With Super Bowl XLVI coming up on Sunday, February 5, there is no better example of the importance of succession planning than a sport playoff season that comes down to one team attaining the number one spot in the industry.

Contingency Plans: Cover Critical Positions

Let’s first take a look at the Super Bowl’s host city’s team, the Indianapolis Colts.  Ending their 2011 season with a 2-14 record (the team’s worst performance in 20 years); it is safe to say they had a horrible season.  So why did they suddenly fall apart?  Among other things – such as a week defense and no running game – the collapse began prior to the 2011 season when the team’s four-time MVP, quarterback Peyton Manning, suffered a neck injury leaving him unable to play.  What quickly became clear was the fact that the Colts lacked a back-up plan in case something happened to Manning.  None of the Colts’ back-up quarterbacks played in any regular season game during the 2010 season.  With no solid back-ups for the key quarterback position, and no major talent upgrades anywhere else on the team, the Colts were defenseless against disaster.

When It Really Works

Having been called one of the smartest teams in the NFL, the New England Patriots consistently seem to draft and develop players well across many positions over an extended period of time.  From 1993-2000, the team had success with quarterback Drew Bledsoe at the wheel.  With a rough season in 1999, ending with an 8-8 record, the Patriots acquired quarterback Tom Brady who was to be groomed as Bledsoe’s eventual replacement.  Then in 2001, during the second game of the season, Bledsoe was hit hard by New York Jets linebacker.  He suffered a sheared blood vessel in his chest, causing Tom Brady to step in as his replacement.  Up to the challenge, Brady ended up leading the team into the playoffs and eventually to victory in the Super Bowl.

Several years later, the same situation arose.  By 2005, although Brady was the team’s superstar, the Patriots knew they needed a younger player for protection if disaster were to strike.  So they drafted Matt Cassel, whose role the first few seasons was to learn the ropes and be ready if something were to happen to Brady.  Then at the start of the 2008 season, during the first quarter or the first game, Brady suffered a season ending injury.  Matt Cassel stepped in, and not only led them to victory in that first game, but also led them to a respectable 11-5 season.  Although Brady returned the following year, Cassel’s performance in the 2008 season earned him the starting quarterback position with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Valuable succession planning and broader talent management lessons can be learned from NFL scenarios like these.  One of the biggest risks we take in business is, is it better to ride out an existing, experienced talent to the career detriment of developing the younger talent?  Do you sacrifice on-the-job professional career growth for the person waiting in the wings, thereby delaying their greatness a bit longer?  It is the common short-run versus long-run benefits trade-off, with a good amount of uncertainty added to the mix.  It all comes down to having the right talent pool waiting in the wings, which is succession planning’s ultimate endgame.

For more information on succession planning, please contact Converge to speak with one of our HR experts.

On Friday January 20^th our HR Intern, Bianca, had her last day here at Converge.  Along with applying to PhD programs, Bianca was offered a great opportunity in the field of academia, the area she is most passionate about.  Bianca provided great support during her time here and made a lasting impression on all of us.  From her extensive HR knowledge to her incredible tech skills, she will be missed by us all!

We want to thank you for your time here Bianca, and wish you nothing but success in all of your future endeavors!  We look forward to crossing paths again.

Converge is seeking a part-time HR Generalist for 16-20 hours per week to support our consulting and outsourcing practice.  Ultimate flexibility available, including flexible work hours/days, work from home/office, convenient Wayne office location and more. Great opportunity for someone who wants to stay actively engaged in the HR space, but also desires flexibility and personal time.  Perfect for balance!

We are looking for someone who has 7-10 years experience as a Generalist or Consultant.  Knowledge of all facets of HR including, employee relations, HR regulations/compliance, performance management, rewards, counseling/discipline and discharge, etc.  Healthcare experience preferred.

Ability to coordinate on projects to perform research, design HR programs and interact with clients.

Check out our website to learn more about our team and our culture, then send your resume to resumes (at) convergesolutions.net

A recent informal discussion on the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website indicates that employers requiring diplomas as conditions of employment may be discriminatory.

In creating detailed job descriptions, many employers will indicate the level of education required to excel in the position. However, according to the EEOC, this seemingly harmless condition may violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.

According to the EEOC:

If an employer adopts a high school diploma requirement for a job, and that requirement “screens out” an individual who is unable to graduate because of a learning disability that meets the ADA’s definition of “disability,” the employer may not apply the standard unless it can demonstrate that the diploma requirement is job related and consistent with business necessity. The employer will not be able to make this showing, for example, if the functions in question can easily be performed by someone who does not have a diploma.

To be sure your job descriptions are compliant, contact one of our HR experts to guide you through the process and help you understand the EEOC’s latest opinion.

The Supreme Court has announced that it will hear challenges to the Affordable Care Act. The court will consider the following arguments:

• The constitutionality of the individual mandate and whether health care reform can survive if one of its key components, such as the individual mandate, is found unconstitutional.

• Issues surrounding the ability of federal courts to stay proceedings brought in state courts (the Anti-Injunction Act) and the expansion of Medicaid under health care reform.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments beginning in March 2012, making a decision by early summer 2012 likely. For more information on the Health Care Reform, or to speak with one of our benefit experts, do not hesitate to contact us.

Converge is a boutique HR consulting and outsourcing firm located in Wayne, PA. Our team consists of professionals from a variety of industries and experiences who possess exceptional skills in the critical business areas of recruitment and staffing, performance improvement, employee benefits, leadership developing and training, compensation and employee/ labor relations. We work very hard for our clients and play very hard as a team. Our culture is based on mutual trust and respect, diversity in thinking, challenging the status quo, creativity and teamwork.

We are currently seeking Communications Consultant to join our dynamic team and manage the day to day communication operations at Converge.

The Communications Consultant will work across all the key areas of business. She/he will be responsible for the management on Converge’s online presence including managing the website, social media, and company blog. The Communications Consultant will be responsible for drafting and sending the company newsletter and sending out monthly email blasts on the latest trends in HR and Communication. The ideal candidate will have experience working with web content management and a strong written voice. The Communications Consultant will be responsible for the design, update and maintenance of all Converge marketing material. She/he will also consult for and have daily interaction with our wide array of clients.

In addition to these requirements we are also seeking the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communication or related field required
• 1-3 years previous experience required
• Excellent oral and interpersonal communication skills
• Organizational ability and extreme attention to detail
• Ability to work independently as well as in a dynamic team environment
• Client ready
• Creativity and a sense of humor
• Thorough knowledge of all Microsoft Office programs and previous experience with online media

Applicants should send their resume and TWO writing samples to resumes (at) convergesolutions.net

To Our Valued Clients and Friends,

This update is to thank you all for the opportunity to work with you over the past three years and to let you know that I have resigned from my position as Communications Consultant with Converge.

I started as a Villanova University Intern with Converge in the Summer of 2008 and hit the ground running. Over the past three years I have had the pleasure of interacting with most all of our clients on a day to day basis and thank you all for the work you’ve allowed me to do for you. It has been an adventure learning all of your businesses and delivering the best possible HR solutions to all of you.

As many of you know from working with them personally, the staff at Converge is not your average HR team. The group of people assembled in this organization by Mark Izzo is what makes our company so unique and gives us our edge. It has been a great privilege to work with such a talented and dedicated group of professionals.

Over the next several weeks, I will be working extensively with our team to continue servicing our clients and ensure that the transition process for my replacement will be as seamless as possible.

As I move on from Converge, I will be moving to Washington, DC where I have accepted a role for a non profit organization as an International Communications Associate. I am excited for this new challenge.

Again, I thank you for the chance to work with you all. If you have any questions about this transition or wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank You and Warm Wishes,

Caroline

On September 13th, Converge will be sponsoring the annual “Run for Your Life” 5k Run at Great Valley Corporate Center. The event benefits our client, Community Volunteers in Medicine.

Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) was founded to provide healthcare, hope and healing to uninsured working adults and their children. CVIM has treated thousands of patients and offers care given by licenses healthcare professionals who volunteer their time.

In addition to sponsoring the event, every year Converge sends a team of participants to run the race. Mark has lead the pack each year so far. Look for the results of the race to be posted soon!

To learn more about Community Volunteers in Medicine or to sign up for the race, please visit: http://www.gvcc5k.com/